Knossos — Caravanserai South Pillar Crypt
Knossos Pillar Crypt
Minoan Palatial (2700–1450 BCE)·Minoan·🇬🇷 Crete, Heraklion, Knossos, Greece
About
About Knossos — Caravanserai South Pillar Crypt
Knossos — Caravanserai South Pillar Crypt in Crete, Heraklion, Knossos, Greece is a Minoan Palatial (2700–1450 BCE) ancient city attributed to Minoan. Systematic survey and coring document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and domestic quarter. Dimensions city wall circuit 1.2 km; area 18 ha; area 21.0 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Minoan ancient-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 85 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1900 BCE
- Period
- Minoan Palatial (2700–1450 BCE)
- Culture
- Minoan
- Purpose
- Urban centre with palace and temple precinct
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1900 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1147 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1937
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
c. 1595 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
35.2900° N · 25.1600° E · 85 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Knossos — Caravanserai South Pillar Crypt — structure with stratified deposits
35.2882° N · 25.1593° EAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Knossos — Caravanserai South Pillar Crypt — complex with stratified deposits
35.2891° N · 25.1589° EOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Knossos — Caravanserai South Pillar Crypt — outlier with stratified deposits
35.2923° N · 25.1576° E